Standards Comparison

    OSHA

    Mandatory
    1970

    US federal regulation for workplace safety and health standards

    VS

    ISO 37001

    Voluntary
    2025

    International standard for anti-bribery management systems.

    Quick Verdict

    OSHA enforces mandatory US workplace safety via inspections and fines, while ISO 37001 offers voluntary global anti-bribery certification. Companies adopt OSHA for legal compliance; ISO 37001 for risk mitigation, reputation, and market access.

    Occupational Safety

    OSHA

    Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 CFR 1910)

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • General Duty Clause addresses uncodified serious hazards
    • Hierarchy of controls prioritizes engineering over PPE
    • 29 CFR 1910 standards cover general industry hazards
    • Risk-based inspections target high-hazard workplaces
    • Mandatory recordkeeping with electronic injury reporting
    Anti-Bribery/Compliance

    ISO 37001

    ISO 37001: Anti-Bribery Management Systems

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Risk-based bribery risk assessments
    • Third-party due diligence requirements
    • Leadership commitment and policy
    • Financial and non-financial controls
    • PDCA continual improvement cycle

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    OSHA Details

    What It Is

    Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 CFR 1910 for general industry), are U.S. federal regulations enforcing workplace safety. Primary purpose: assure safe conditions by reducing hazards via standards, enforcement, and education. Key approach: performance-based with hierarchy of controls and General Duty Clause for recognized hazards.

    Key Components

    • Subparts A-Z covering walking surfaces, PPE, hazardous materials, toxic substances.
    • Over 1,000 specific requirements plus recordkeeping (29 CFR 1904).
    • Core principles: employer/employee duties, inspections, penalties.
    • Compliance via self-implementation, no central certification but enforced through citations.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Legal mandate avoids fines up to $165,514; reduces injuries/costs; enhances reputation. Mitigates risks like fatalities; supports ESG and insurance savings.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: gap analysis, written programs (IIPP, HazCom), training, audits. Applies to most U.S. private employers; state plans may enhance. Ongoing via inspections, no formal certification.

    ISO 37001 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 37001 is the international certifiable standard for Anti-Bribery Management Systems (ABMS). It provides requirements and guidance to prevent, detect, and respond to bribery risks. Applicable to all organization sizes and sectors, it employs a risk-based approach following the ISO Harmonized Structure and PDCA cycle.

    Key Components

    • Clauses 4-10 cover context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, and improvement.
    • Core elements: anti-bribery policy, risk assessment, due diligence, financial/non-financial controls, training, reporting, audits.
    • Built on proportionality and continual improvement principles.
    • Optional third-party certification with 3-year cycles and surveillance audits.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mitigates legal risks under FCPA/UK Bribery Act; reduces liability via evidence of 'reasonable steps'.
    • Enhances reputation, stakeholder trust, ESG alignment.
    • Drives efficiencies (up to 15% compliance cost reduction), third-party risk control (95% cases involve them).

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, risk assessment, control design, training, audits.
    • Scalable for SMEs to multinationals; 6-12 months typical.
    • Global applicability; integrates with ISO 9001/27001.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    OSHA
    Workplace safety, health hazards, recordkeeping
    ISO 37001
    Anti-bribery management, corruption prevention

    Industry

    OSHA
    All US industries, general/construction/agriculture
    ISO 37001
    All sectors worldwide, public/private/non-profit

    Nature

    OSHA
    Mandatory US federal regulations, enforced inspections
    ISO 37001
    Voluntary certifiable international management standard

    Testing

    OSHA
    OSHA inspections, injury logs, compliance audits
    ISO 37001
    Third-party certification audits, internal reviews

    Penalties

    OSHA
    Civil fines up to $165k, criminal for willful violations
    ISO 37001
    No penalties, loss of certification only

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about OSHA and ISO 37001

    OSHA FAQ

    ISO 37001 FAQ

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